The Acoustical Treatments Master Thread is very intimidating and difficult to use. I know there is a lot of good information contained in this thread however I have searched it several times on several different occasions but always have trouble finding what I am looking for. It really needs to be organized in a concise manner. Would anyone that is familiar with the thread be interested in starting some new concise sticky threads that could be truly helpful? For example DIY Absorption Treatment thread, DIY Diffusion Treatment thread, Basic (not specific) Room Treatment thread, and an In Depth Acoustic thread. Just a suggestion however this would be very useful to a lot of people.

Thanks,

Mike

If you're serious about learning acoustics you'll do better to buy a good book like Everest's Master Handbook of Acoustics or Philip Newell's Recording Studio Design. Another good resource is by Rod Gervais, Home Recording Studio: Build it Like the Pros. Even though many such books are about recording studios, all of the same principles apply to 2-channel rooms and home theaters. There's also my own Acoustics FAQ (http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html) which is free.

--Ethan

Ethan:

Your website is very informative and I actually read it before I posted this thread. I still have some questions:

1. I have a small HT room and I will be sitting less than 8' from the walls. Should I avoid using diffusion in a small HT 17’ x 13’ x 8’ when sitting less than 8’ from the walls?
2. I am thinking about putting absorption on approximately 35% of my walls and ceiling space (not counting the floor space). I will put bass traps in the corners and absorption on the sidewalls and ceiling (first and second reflection points) and behind the speakers. I am thinking of leaving the back wall alone or using diffusion there. Is this a good plan? Will my HT be too dead? The HT size is 17’ x 13’ x 8’. Or should I put absorption on the rear wall?
3. I will be using Rockwool (because it is economical and I can get it locally) in lumber frames covered with an acoustically transparent fabric. I will be using 1” x 4” lumber for the frames w/2” thick Rockwool except for the bass traps. I will mount the frames flat against the wall which will give me a 1.5” air gap behind the Rockwool (the room is small and I don’t have much room for air gaps). Do I need to put a back (fabric) on the rock wool? I was thinking that I would not need to put a back on the Rockwool since the frame is flat against the wall and I do not plan on disturbing the Rockwool. I will hold the Rockwool in place with small wood blocks screwed into the back of the frame. I will use 6" of Rockwool mounted in the front corners for bass traps. I can't mount bass traps in rear due to doors.
4. I would be grateful for any other suggestion.

Thank you for your help,

Mike

1. Diffusion on the rear wall is useful unless your seating is right against that wall. Otherwise, absorption there is better. And use absorption everywhere else.

2. No, that won't be too dead.

3. There's no need for fabric on the rear of absorbers unless the rear is exposed and fibers could get into the air.

--Ethan

If you're serious about learning acoustics you'll do better to buy a good book like Everest's Master Handbook of Acoustics or Philip Newell's Recording Studio Design. Another good resource is by Rod Gervais, Home Recording Studio: Build it Like the Pros. Even though many such books are about recording studios, all of the same principles apply to 2-channel rooms and home theaters.

Just another plug for those books. They're essential reading if you want any kind of detailed information on acoustics.

Frank